Google Maps Driving Speed

[Bolty]

I think self driving will be initially disruptive and like this example more dangerous until the sensors, and AI outperform human reaction and crash prevention.

Your example is valid but also a bit unfair. Tesla knew that their "Autopilot" was not ready to be a fully self-driving replacement for humans, and thus demanded that drivers pay attention to the road and have their hands on the wheel. As the article you linked states, the "driver" ignored 7 visual and 6 audible warnings that he was not using the car properly.

That said, the article also pointed out something that I remember when Tesla rolled out their "Autopilot" technology - the industry begged Tesla not to do it because they knew human nature. Google does not want to release any self-driving technology until they know that the cars can 100% operate without any human intervention whatsoever, for exactly the reason why the Tesla driver died. Humans will pay less and less attention over time if they feel that the Autopilot is "good enough" and there will be cases where it kills people. And media being media, they will trump up and make huge headlines out of anyone dying to self-driving technology, which could potentially sway public opinion away from it.

Never mind that 30,000+ people die every year from driving in the U.S. If one person dies in a self-driving car, it'll make national headlines every time. Humans suck at statistics.

Anyway, I guess the point I'm making is that the driver is at fault, but so is Tesla for just ignoring human nature - arrogantly thinking they could put out a technology that's 80-90% complete and that humans would always be willing to make up for that last 10-20% percent.